Meeting with Advisors Eases the Marketing Load

I’m no different than you this time of the year, working to complete a final marketing campaign before 2006 ends. Retailers get most of the media attention, but service providers also have substantial opportunities to make this fourth quarter successful.

One area I cannot overlook as 2007 approaches is meeting with the people who provide me with support.

The accountant reminds me to reduce my tax liability by purchasing anything required for next year. Next week’s meeting with an attorney will uncover whether or not a change in legal structure is beneficial.

Small and solo business owners have the tendency to get so caught up in everyday business that we overlook management practices. Accounting and legal structures put into place when you first opened your doors may not be advantageous today.

That’s the type of information I appreciated hearing when recording a CD with attorney Robin Gronsky. The thought of going to court over a situation that could have been solved through proactive attention is frightening.

I’ve been married a long time, so I no longer have a traditional holiday list, but I still set goals. One is to make sure all administrative processes in my control are settled before year’s end. What goals are on your list?

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November 30, 2006 | Filed Under Problems & Solutions, Recent Entries, Solo Housekeeping | Leave a Comment

Uncovering Help at Conferences

There aren’t many conferences scheduled between now and December to provide small and solo business owners with a final marketing push before 2007, but if you’re in the New York area, marketing ideas may be discovered at NY Xpo for Business, taking place on November 29 at the Jacob Javits Center.

What I look forward to, when I attend, is meeting with exhibitors to find services to delegate some of the projects that I cannot perform on my own. That’s one area in my business that needs support, and the same may be true for you.

Working solo is one thing, but going it alone all the time is neither healthy nor productive for business. It’s time to let others lend a hand so that more growth and revenue is possible. Consider delegating more as you move into the New Year.

Check our convention roster to find events in your area.

What are you planning to achieve next year? Will you delegate rather than do everything yourself?

Technorati Tags: solo business owner, NY Xpo for Business, Jacob Javits Center, Working solo, small business marketing, small business owner

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November 20, 2006 | Filed Under Conferences, Problems & Solutions, Recent Entries, Solo Housekeeping | Leave a Comment

Use Every Space to Elevate, Not Denigrate

Image is everything
On Tuesday, I finished a two-week course at a local adult school. Each year my class is held in the same room, so I’ve become familiar with the posters the teacher places on boards throughout the room.

The United States just completed regional elections, and because this particular room is where history is taught, many of the local candidates’ promotional flyers still hang above numerous blackboards. They caught my attention, especially one used by a candidate that quoted the competition’s own words posted about himself on MySpace.com.

According to the candidate, his opponent used many ~~expletive~~ profane remarks and phrases on his public page. The citing was used to dilute his candidacy. Perhaps you can see some of the information in the picture. I don’t know the race’s outcome, but I certainly would have been embarrassed to have information that I make available online be used by the competition.

Small and solo business owners must review all information distributed about themselves and their businesses with a fine-toothed comb. We rarely get second chances to make a good, first impression. If someone can take words that we willingly post online and use them against us for their own marketing campaigns, there is no one to blame outside of the person we see in the mirror each day.

Be sure to always create an uplifting experience for those who consider giving us money, no matter what space is used for personal or business activities.

Technorati Tags: small business owner, solo business owner, small business marketing

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November 16, 2006 | Filed Under Customer Connections, Online Ideas, Recent Entries, Solo Housekeeping | 2 Comments

Retail Marketing Strategies Work for All

Retailers provide great marketing ideas Small and solo business owners receive magazines from many sources. My business is no exception, as I receive numerous publications every day. One of my subscriptions is to Greetings etc., a trade magazine for greeting card, stationery, and party goods’ retailers.

Each month the magazine features a “hot topic” asking retailers to share their thoughts on a particular subject. The November/December issue asks for feedback on getting the most from advertising. Here are sample responses.

“We target our advertising in magazines that have the same targeted demographic as our store.”

“…I find out from the vendor if there is any co-op money available for the product(s) as well as if they have a website that our stores can be listed on as a purchase point.”

“I advertising in the local newspapers that are published once a month, because they are the publications that the neighborhoods read about the goings-on in their areas.”

“…band together with other local merchants and share the costs.”

“…if you have a group of local retailers that are sponsoring a ‘walk’ or fair or event, then you can share the cost of the ad.”

These ideas are smart solutions for service-based businesses as well as retailers. They also motivate you to review your current marketing campaigns before the start of 2007.

Which ones should stay in place to put your product or service into clients’ hands?
Which need a major overhaul?
Which ones require small changes?
What marketing ideas must be retired because they didn’t work?

Retailers have a lot to lose if they don’t continue to bring foot traffic through their doors. That’s why their ideas are so important to all industries. Consider adding some of their strategies to your 2007 plans.

Technorati Tags: Greetings etc., small business marketing, solo business marketing, small business owner, marketing strategy, marketing plans

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November 6, 2006 | Filed Under Offline Ideas, Problems & Solutions, Recent Entries | Leave a Comment